Essential Elements

More than 80% of juvenile justice-involved youth report experiencing trauma, with many having experienced multiple, chronic, and pervasive interpersonal traumas. This exposure places them at risk for emotional, behavioral, developmental, and legal problems. Unresolved posttraumatic stress symptoms can lead to serious long-term consequences across the entire lifespan, such as problems with interpersonal relationships; cognitive functioning; and mental health disorders including PTSD, substance abuse, anxiety, disordered eating, depression, self-injury, and conduct problems—all of which can increase the likelihood of involvement in delinquency, crime, and the justice system. The prevalence and severity of traumatic stress reactions among juvenile justice-involved youth, caregivers, families, professionals, and providers, necessitates a system-wide response to prevent, identify, address, and minimize further traumatic stress.

The following represent the Essential Elements of a Trauma-Informed Juvenile Justice System:

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The NCTSN is funded by the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and jointly coordinated by UCLA and Duke University.